Since lipids are hydrophobic molecules, they need to be mechanically broken down into smaller particles and mixed with enzymes so that the triglycerides can be broken down into fatty acids and smaller monoglyceride units with the help of lipase enzymes.Lipid digestion starts in the duodenum in the small intestine.
Lipids are first split up into tiny droplets by emulsification by bile salts produced by the liver and stored in and released from the gall bladder into the duodenum.Alkaline pancreatic juice containing pancreatic lipase and hydrogencarbonate ions is secreted by the pancreas into the duodenum.Lipases hydrolyse two of the ester bonds in triglycerides to form fatty acids and monoglycerides.The majority of lipids found in the human body from ingesting food are triglycerides and cholesterol.Ingested cholesterol is not broken down by the lipases and stays intact until it enters the epithelium cells of the small intestine.
Lipids are first split up into tiny droplets by emulsification by bile salts produced by the liver and stored in and released from the gall bladder into the duodenum.Alkaline pancreatic juice containing pancreatic lipase and hydrogencarbonate ions is secreted by the pancreas into the duodenum.Lipases hydrolyse two of the ester bonds in triglycerides to form fatty acids and monoglycerides.The majority of lipids found in the human body from ingesting food are triglycerides and cholesterol.Ingested cholesterol is not broken down by the lipases and stays intact until it enters the epithelium cells of the small intestine.